Help & Resources

Responsible Gambling in West Virginia

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Need help right now? Call the West Virginia Problem Gamblers Help Network at 1-800-426-2537. Free, confidential, 24/7. Or text 800GAM to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Sports betting is entertainment for most West Virginians, but for some it stops being fun and starts causing harm. If betting is affecting your finances, work, sleep, or relationships, help is available and free. This page lists the WV-specific resources, the in-app tools every legal sportsbook offers, and how the state's Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program works.

WV Helplines & Counseling

WV Problem Gamblers Help Network

1-800-426-2537

Free, confidential, 24/7. Operated by First Choice Services. Trained counselors familiar with WV-specific resources.

National 1-800-GAMBLER

1-800-426-2537

Same number. WV uses the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline operated locally.

WV 211

211

Statewide referral hotline. Connects you to local counseling, financial assistance, and support groups.

National Council on Problem Gambling

1-800-522-4700

National text and chat support. Text 800GAM or chat at ncpgambling.org/chat.

Gamblers Anonymous (WV)

855-222-5542

Free 12-step peer support meetings, virtual and in-person across WV.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

If two or more of these describe your last few months, consider reaching out for support. Early intervention is the easiest. None of these alone means you have a problem; together, they suggest betting may be moving from entertainment toward harm.

  • Spending more time or money on betting than you intended
  • Chasing losses with bigger or more frequent bets
  • Borrowing money or selling things to fund betting
  • Lying to family or friends about how much you bet
  • Betting interferes with work, sleep, or relationships
  • Feeling restless or irritable when not betting
  • Failed attempts to cut back or stop
  • Betting to escape stress, anxiety, or depression

In-App Safer Gambling Tools

Every licensed West Virginia sportsbook is required to offer the following control tools. They are typically found under Account → Responsible Gaming or Settings → Limits.

Deposit limits

Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximums on every WV-licensed app. Reductions take effect immediately; increases require a 24-hour cooling-off period.

Wager / loss limits

Cap how much you can stake or lose in a given period. Available on FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, and BetRivers.

Time limits & session reminders

Set how long you can be logged in, and receive pop-up reminders mid-session.

Cool-off (timeout)

Suspend your account for a chosen period: 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or longer. You stay enrolled but can't wager during the timeout.

Self-exclusion (operator-level)

Permanently or semi-permanently close your account at one specific sportsbook. Cannot be reversed before the chosen period ends.

WV Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

State-run program that bans you from ALL WV-licensed sportsbooks (mobile and retail) at once. Choose 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime. Apply via wvlottery.com.

WV Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

The West Virginia Lottery Commission runs a state-wide self-exclusion program that bans you from all licensed WV sportsbooks (mobile and retail) at once. This is stronger than closing one operator account because every WV-licensed book is required to refuse new accounts and close existing ones for the duration you choose:

  • 1 year: minimum enrollment period
  • 5 years: typical step for sustained recovery
  • Lifetime: irreversible permanent ban from WV-licensed sports wagering

Once enrolled, your name is shared across all seven mobile and five retail operators. Any winnings collected during a banned period can be forfeited. To enroll, visit the West Virginia Lottery Commission website or call the WV Problem Gamblers Help Network at 1-800-426-2537.

Help for Family & Friends

Problem gambling affects more than the bettor. If someone you love is struggling, the WV Problem Gamblers Help Network offers free counseling for family members and partners as well. Gam-Anon (the family equivalent of Gamblers Anonymous) hosts virtual meetings open to anyone affected by another person's gambling.

Underage Gambling

You must be at least 21 to bet on sports in West Virginia. If you suspect a minor is using a legal sportsbook account, contact the operator's responsible-gaming team immediately and report the activity to the WV Lottery Commission. All seven WV books verify identity and date of birth at signup, but underage access through borrowed credentials remains a risk.

You are not alone. Tens of thousands of West Virginians have used these resources. Asking for help is free, confidential, and the first step toward getting your life back.